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Friday, May 29, 2009

Mainers Urge Senators to Support Vote on Johnsen

This morning, the Maine Women’s Lobby delivered a petition signed by Mainers to the Augusta offices of Senators Snowe and Collins. The petition signers urge their senators to support a prompt vote on President Obama's nomination of Dawn Johnsen to head the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel.

The petitions were signed by members and supporters of Alliance for Justice, NARAL Pro-Choice America, Planned Parenthood, People for the American Way, the Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism, CREDO, and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights.

Prof. Johnsen is eminently qualified to serve in this position. But her nomination is being held hostage by a threatened filibuster by Senate Republicans to further their partisan political agenda. Some of those who oppose her appointment also seem to have a problem with female nominees. Despite her experience that directly qualifies her for this job, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) said he does not think she has the "seriousness" to take on this responsibility.

Instead of further delay, the Senate should hold a vote and get back to other priority issues such as the economy, health care, and education.